The elderly man’s red and white Santa hat placed him at the scene of a mass grave site. The villagers knew him well, so well that he became known as Father Christmas. He was rumored to give children gifts and also known for his outlandish stories and tall tales, but this time he was unable to reason his way out of his predicament.

Parents found that their children were not arriving home when they should have been and declared them missing. All around the village, there were signs depicting the missing children. Now, the elderly man, shackled to a rock, was certain to confess to the mass murders, but not before telling his truth one last time.

“How did you get those chains around your hands Mister?” The little boy asked curiously.

“Mmmm…” the old man deliberated on whether he should tell the young child the truth and decided to do so for what else did he have to lose. He was insane already at least that’s what he had been told.

His mouth opened and he began to speak,

“That’s a long story. Do you have time to listen?”

“Yes!” the little boy jumped up and down excitedly. He loved stories. His mother always told grand ones, but he had never heard one from a stranger before.

“My name is Kristopher Kringle, but the villagers call me Father Christmas. I take in orphaned boys and give them a home and teach them how to become Santa, the one who gives gifts. But to be Santa they have to first learn how to act when recieving a gift.”

“What gift did you give them?”

“Hold on let me finish the story now.”

“I took them to the woods and handed them a plant called hemlock. I told them if they eat it they will gain powers to become Santa. If they do not, they will remain a child forever.”

“Do you think I could become Santa?” The boy looked up innocently at the old man.

“If you unchain me and take me to the woods- we can find out.” the old man leaned forward and smiled creepily. He leaned back on the rock and put his index finger as if to say “Shh…”

“I don’t have a key though.” Tears began to form in the boys eyes and he frowned.

“Its okay, would you still like to meet the other boys who became Santa?” The old man shifted on the rock.

“If I do will I also gain powers like you, Santa?”

“Oh yes, powers beyond your wildest dreams!” He stretched out his chained hand as far as he could and waved it in the air.

The boy inched forward and the old man took the last bit of hemlock remaining. He put it in the boys hand and the boy put the plant in his mouth. He began to chew, then swallowed.

“I can’t wait to become Santa and meet the other boys!” He said at last. His eyes became heavy and he collapsed. His chest did not rise or fall.

The old man looked down at his feet as the child lay motionless before him. He never wanted to be a father.